§ 26. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement showing what progress has now been made in the cutting down of headquarters establishments in overseas theatres.
§ Mr. LawsonThe reductions made in the establishments of headquarters of overseas commands since VE-day vary between approximately 40 per cent. in the case of B.A.O.R. and C.M.F. and 15 per cent. in the case of the smaller headquarters, whose staffs were already reduced before VE-day because they had no operational commitments. This represents an overall reduction of approximately 31 per cent.
§ Sir Ronald RossWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in reducing staff, that although the work of other branches has been reduced, the work of the Welfare Branch has rather increased and that the staff should not be reduced?
§ Mr. LawsonYes, Sir, I will bear that in mind. I watch welfare very closely.
§ Mr. TurtonArising out of the original reply, are we to understand that the large headquarters at Cairo has one of the smaller staffs which has been cut by only 15 per cent.?
§ Mr. LawsonThe large headquarters at Cairo has received very close attention within the last few weeks.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that many of us receive correspondence to the effect ' that there are a large number of highly placed officers doing little or nothing, and could he not increase the momentum of decreasing their number?
§ Mr. LawsonIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman can tell me what officers are doing nothing, I will give further attention to the matter. I have looked into it very closely.
§ Sir T. MooreThe right hon. Gentleman has not seen much.